Understanding how brain activation changes during drug abuse
Official title: The neuropharmacology of brain activation during stages of drug abuse
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11036352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain chemicals like dopamine change when someone uses drugs repeatedly, using advanced imaging techniques on nonhuman primates to help us understand addiction better and eventually help people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $501,000 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DA058360-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of drug abuse or addiction who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by drug addiction or those who have not engaged in substance use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain's response to drug abuse. By using advanced imaging techniques like PET and fMRI, the study aims to explore how repeated drug exposure alters brain signaling and connectivity. The research will be conducted in nonhuman primates to develop methods that can eventually be applied to human studies, focusing on the complex interactions between different neuroreceptors involved in addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals struggling with addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding addiction through neuroimaging techniques, making this approach both innovative and grounded in existing science.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sander, Christin Y. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sander, Christin Y.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.